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Arnab Goswami persuaded me not to give up hosting 'Gadget Guru': Vikram Chandra

The Group CEO and Executive Director, NDTV Group, talks about the iconic technology show that is turning 10 this year and the plans ahead

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Arnab Goswami persuaded me not to give up hosting 'Gadget Guru': Vikram Chandra

Arnab Goswami persuaded me not to give up hosting 'Gadget Guru': Vikram Chandra

The Group CEO and Executive Director, NDTV Group, talks about the iconic technology show that is turning 10 this year and the plans ahead

Shanta Saikia | Delhi | June 5, 2015

Gadge-Guru-Vikram-Chandra

'Gadget Guru' on NDTV, one of India's longest running gadget shows, turns 10 this year. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, 'Gadget Guru' will be aired with fresh packaging with new stories and innovative insights.

It was 10 years ago, when NDTV Group CEO and Executive Director Vikram Chandra's love for technology was the spark that put the wheels in motion. Widely regarded as one of the best anchors in Indian television, he brings his tough brand of journalism to the show, asking the tough questions and giving straight answers.

Reminiscing how the show came into being, Chandra told BestMediaInfo.com, “We were launching NDTV Profit at that time and I was Managing Editor of the channel then.. It struck me that while the audience wanted business shows, there was also growing demand for information on the latest technology and gadgets. However, there were no good shows at that time to cater to the audiences. So we tossed a few ideas around and came up with the concept of 'Gadget Guru'.”

Continuing further, he said, “Initially, I was the only anchor of the show. After some time Rajiv Makhni joined me as the co-host. When we started out, we didn't even have a proper dedicated set and used to shoot the show on the rooftop of the Archana building with some gadgets. 'Gadget Guru' today is now one of the most successful technology shows with a full-fledged team and reporters and the works.”

Makhni, who joined the team after a surprise audition, brings his vast knowledge of technology to the table together with his brand of wry humour that complements his co-host Chandra perfectly. Their banter and chemistry have been the bedrock on which 'Gadget Guru' was brought to life.

Sharing an interesting incident, Chandra said that when he was made CEO of NDTV Group, he was thinking of giving up anchoring 'Gadget Guru'. “The guy who talked me out of giving it up was Arnab Goswami (Editor-in-Chief, Times Now), a former colleague of mine. When we met somewhere, he told me I was absolutely crazy, everyone watches the show and hence, I can't give it up. I am still anchoring the show.”

Chandra further said, “Our core focus is to engage our viewers by becoming younger, funkier and trendier and to excite the youth.”

Meanwhile, in a press note, Rajiv Makhni, Managing Editor, Technology, NDTV, said, “The brand new avatar of the show is bigger, better and more entertaining as the whole game has been rebooted from the ground up. The idea of the new show is to explore the untapped potential of the young and the quirky in the technology world.”

'Gadget Guru' airs every Saturday at 7.30 PM on NDTV Good Times, every Saturday at11 AM on NDTV Prime, and every Sunday at 11.30 AM on NDTV 24x7.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

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